Freestyle Fridays: Uncut, Unedited, and Unscripted
Welcome back to Freestyle Fridays—the space where every message is real, raw, and straight from the heart. Today’s story isn’t just about events or travel. It is about connection, commitment, and the unexpected breakthroughs that happen when you consistently show up—even when you do not feel like it.
Over the past week, I attended two events: the NAM event, just 40 minutes from home, and the CREATE Conference in Atlanta with some of the greatest thought leaders in the world. What happened across these stages, conversations, and personal interactions reinforced one powerful theme:
You must learn how to get out of the people pile.
Let me break it down.
Why I Went to NAM: Connection, Curiosity, and Staying Ahead of the Curve
NAM was close to home, so I cleared my calendar and went with one goal:
Make new connections and learn something that elevates my craft.
Neil was the first speaker of the day—the main reason I attended. When Neil speaks, you listen. His perspective on AI is always ahead of the curve, and I wanted to learn how he is leveraging it. I use AI daily through ChatGPT, but Neil always frames things differently.
He reaffirmed a belief I hold:
**AI will not replace the right people…
but the right people who use AI will outperform everyone else.**
It will make our jobs easier, streamline communication, accelerate creativity, and enhance consistency. But it does not replace authenticity, vulnerability, or human leadership.
Authenticity Creates Connection: A Moment I Did Not Expect
While at NAM, someone recognized me from an event hosted by René Rodriguez in Texas, where I was unexpectedly pulled on stage to speak. We laughed about that day, talked about the One Jordan strategy, and discussed how my book quickly became a bestseller.
Moments like that remind me how powerful it is to show up consistently. People notice. Opportunity notices. Growth notices.
Standards Over Feelings: The Discipline That Moves You Forward
The next morning, I woke up to cold, rain, and zero desire to hit the gym.
But I showed up anyway.
Because standards matter more than feelings.
With ongoing health challenges, daily workouts have been harder than ever. I am dealing with nerve pain, fatigued from gabapentin, and taking naps just to push through. But I keep moving, keep training, keep fighting.
Why?
Because consistency is not about convenience—it is about commitment.
Off to Atlanta: Two Days at the CREATE Conference
From Indiana to Atlanta, I traveled to attend the CREATE event—featuring John Maxwell, Brian Covey, Gary Brecka, and other powerhouse speakers.
Day one was packed:
CEO Mastermind
Gary Brecka (three back-to-back sessions)
Faith-based teaching
Leadership insights
Real conversations with incredible entrepreneurs
Gary Brecka’s message hit hard. He brought clarity, science, and urgency to personal health and human performance. I even planned to ask him questions about my own health journey.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted—but it was a good kind of exhaustion.
The kind you feel when you grow, stretch, and absorb more than your brain can hold.
A Full-Circle Moment With John Maxwell
Day two began with a moment that I will never forget.
I met John Maxwell again—and he told the story of my One Jordan strategy from stage.
Let me repeat that:
John Maxwell—a man who has written 91 books and shaped millions of leaders—told my story from stage to the entire conference.
He retold the moment when he opened a Jordan box and found only one shoe, along with my handwritten note:
“If you’d like the other shoe, please give me a call.”
That strategy—the same one that has helped me connect with industry leaders, build relationships, and elevate my circle—was shared by one of the greatest leadership voices of our time.
When he shared the story, he said:
“Chris got out of the people pile.”
And that is exactly what the strategy was designed to do.
Not manipulate.
Not impress.
Not push.
Just differentiate.
Stand out.
Show intentionality.
Show creativity.
Show courage.
And it worked.
Hearing him share it publicly was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.
Why Getting Out of the People Pile Matters
John Maxwell said something profound:
**Anyone can write one or two books.
Almost no one writes ninety-one.**
The message?
Most people blend in.
Few people separate themselves.
Even fewer do it consistently.
To stand out:
You must show up differently.
You must think differently.
You must execute differently.
You must build relationships differently.
You must bring a unique strategy, voice, or approach to the table.
That is how you stop blending in and start breaking through.
The Power of Being in the Right Room
During CREATE, I sat next to people connected to Ben Newman, John Maxwell, and other major influencers. Conversations led to introductions. Introductions led to insights. Insights led to opportunities.
That only happens when you put yourself in the right room.
When you stay curious.
When you stay coachable.
When you stay hungry.
When you stay out of the people pile.
Final Takeaway: Show Up Differently
If this week taught me anything, it is this:
The people who win are the ones who show up when it is uncomfortable, inconvenient, and unexpected.
The ones who:
Choose standards over feelings
Keep showing up at events
Keep investing in learning
Keep strengthening their network
Keep pushing their health
Keep finding new ways to stand out
Keep stepping into rooms where growth happens
And most importantly—
The ones who refuse to stay in the people pile.
Show up differently.
Think differently.
Create differently.
Move differently.
You never know who is watching.
You never know who you will meet.
And you never know when your story becomes a lesson on someone else’s stage.
Make it a great day.
